Author William Lambers

Below is a flyer being distributed at the Cincinnati Art Museum’s Global Hunger Exhibit. Click on the cover to learn about some ways you can take action against hunger.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) says that hunger is fast escalating in Yemen, the poorest country in the Middle East. The UN agency today called for an expansion of its emergency safety net plan for vulnerable populations as “the food security situation is worsening for all Yemenis.”

Of all the turmoil facing Yemen, from Al Qaeda to political unrest, it is hunger which might topple the country.

Read the full article at Examiner.com

When the “silent tsunami” of high food prices struck in 2008, I approached the UN World Food Programme with an idea: Let’s compile a country-by-country report on the crucial safety net protecting children from hunger and poverty — school meals.

The idea was to identify the shortages facing school feeding programs, as many are underfunded and face a barrage of shocks such as food price increases, drought, or even conflict. What has to be done to make sure every child can receive school meals?

Read the full article at Examiner.com

Gian Carlo Cirri of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) says that “Yemen is undergoing its worst humanitarian crisis ever.” Cirri, who directs WFP’s Yemen mission, says “I cannot recall a time when hardship has been greater in recent Yemeni history.”

Food prices are skyrocketing in Yemen. WFP reports there has been “a 39 percent increase in the price of wheat over just five months.”

For millions of Yemenis, it is a struggle just to get bread. Families are resorting to reducing or even skipping meals or diverting money from health care. It’s a downward spiral to increased malnutrition and disease. That is what is unfolding in Yemen.

Read the full article at Blogcritics Magazine

Free Rice terminal at the Cincinnati Art Museum exhibit on Ending World Hunger

The Cincinnati Art Museum’s summer long exhibit DRAW: Here, There and Everywhere is to get people thinking about global hunger… and to take action.

There are nearly 1 billion people worldwide who are hungry and cannot access basic foods. It is through art that the hungry and suffering have an ally. This alliance transcends time.

Read the full article at Examiner.com

Battles in Southern Yemen between the government and suspected Al Qaeda militants are causing a humanitarian crisis. Thousands have fled the fighting in the Abyan governorate.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) says over 2,000 families have sought refuge in 33 schools in the southern port city of Aden. WFP has surveyed the situation there and found that 90 percent of those displaced are entirely dependent on the host community for food needs.

Read the full article at Examiner.com

A donation from the U.S. Food for Peace program has arrived in Yemen. The UN World Food Programme (WFP), which will distribute the supplies, made the announcement earlier this week.

The food will provide relief to those displaced by years of conflict in Northern Yemen between the government and rebels. This is just one of many crisis fronts in the poorest country in the Middle East. Food prices are fast rising due to the ongoing political unrest.

Read the full article at Examiner.com

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (Utah-3) proposed the amendment, which although approved Tuesday, was subsequently defeated Wednesday in a roll call vote by a margin of 338-83.

Supporters of the amendment to eliminate Food for Peace funding included Steve Chabot of Cincinnati, Ohio, Eric Cantor (VA), John Mica (FL) and presidential candidate Michele Bachmann of Minnesota. The complete roll call vote results are available here.

Read the full article at Examiner.com

Senator Sherrod Brown is alerting Ohioans to a program that fights child hunger during the summer months. The Summer Food Service Program allows children to receive meals during the months when school is out.

The U.S. national free or reduced-price school lunch program has long been a valuable safety net to help families get through difficult times. The summer program is meant to fill in the gap between the school years.

Read the full article at Examiner.com